Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea University Medical School is celebrating as its first students graduate from two new programmes. [aoa id=”1″] Graduates from the Medical School’s first cohorts of the Applied Medical Sciences BSc and the Biochemistry and Genetics MSci programmes have been awarded their degrees at a ceremony this week. The Medical School, which actually trains more life scientists than doctors, introduced its new undergraduate programmes in 2016 to ensure students gained strong foundations in the science which underpins medicine. [/aoa]Professor Keith Lloyd, Head of the Medical School, said: “The reason we are a top medical school is because we are serious…

A MAJOR new initiative has been launched placing international surgical trainees into posts throughout the UK’s NHS Trusts and Boards – with Wales set to benefit. [aoa id=”1″] Building on previous schemes that have now helped to match up more than 1000 international medical graduates (IMGs), The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) has now launched the UK’s first International Postgraduate Deanery (IPD). Over the past three years (2016-2018) the RCSEd has placed a total of nine IMGs with roles in Wales alone – and it is hoped that the Deanery will boost this number further, providing vital training…

A student who had to delay his studies twice to care for his sick mum is celebrating after finally graduating from Swansea University. Kieran Sawdon, aged 23, grew up as registered carer for mum Lynne, who suffered from a number of ailments including arthritis, coronary heart disease and fibromyalgia. After starting at university in September 2014, Kieran’s journey hit a setback when his mum suffered a stroke in his second year. Following treatment at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, Lynne returned home and Kieran was able to begin what was meant to be his third and final year…

The father of a Swansea schoolboy has raised money for Morriston Hospital in memory of his much-loved son. Thomas David Jones was treated initially at the Emergency Department at Morriston Hospital, after being taken ill suddenly in 2017. He was then transferred to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, for treatment but unfortunately he later passed away. The 17-year-old was described by his father as being “a kind, caring and sophisticated young man with an infectious personality”. A pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryntawe, Thomas had been studying for his A levels, he excelled at history and English, in preparation for…

The wacky out of this world experience at Pendine Park’s Highfield House Care Home in Wrexham was accompanied by appropriate music like Frank Sinatra singing Fly me to the Moon and Walking on the Moon by the Police. Once they reached the lunar surface aka the first floor, they planted a flag in a decorated sick bowl which was doubling up as a crater…but this time it was a Pendine Park banner rather than the Stars and Stripes taking pride of place. The idea for the special event was the brainchild of Pendine Park’s lead enrichment and activities co-ordinator Christine…

Colin Harding, a model railway layout builder based in Ceredigion has been sentenced to a 6 month custodial sentence, suspended for 15 months, after pleading guilty to fraud and supplying unsafe electrical goods.  Colin Harding, of Pontsian, Ceredigion whose trading names included ‘Model Railway Layouts’, had pleaded guilty to four fraud offences and one safety offence earlier this week at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court. He was also sentenced to 120 hours unpaid work. The Court heard how Harding had taken payments of over £15,000 from customers as part of his business which he ran from home. He offered a service to design and…

Two knives believed to be linked to the death of Fahad Mohammed Nur have been found among trees in Cardiff Civic Centre. The knives were found by two young boys searching for squirrels in a small wooded area between Museum Avenue and Park Place. Detectives believe they may be the weapons used during the incident and forensic tests are being carried out to in order to confirm their involvement. Fahad, 18, died after being stabbed in the lane near Cathays Railway Station just before 0.24am on Sunday, June 2. Three people have been charged with murder and detectives are not…

A 22-year-old from Caerphilly has set up a sportswear company to help raise awareness of mental health and is donating 10% of his yearly profits to mental health charities. [aoa id=”1″] Ellis Smith, in his final year of Business Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University, has ADHD and OCD and found that exercising, in particular CrossFit, manages his condition day to day. He has used this personal experience to create his fitness and leisurewear brand, The Barbell Club, which also aims to promote mental health. The Barbell Club sells a range of products including t-shirts, hoodies and hats through an online…

Bouygues UK has been working in collaboration with learning technology company Aspire 2Be and a consortium of industry and education partners to incorporate a range of construction resources into the new school curriculum in Wales. Supported by The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the jointly designed Go Construct Educate resources will be available to every school, teacher and pupil across Wales from ages six – 16 and is aimed at encouraging young people to consider a future career in the construction industry. Ahead of its official launch in September, teachers and pupils gathered across Wales to attend GoConstruct ‘buildathons’ at…

Gareth Williams, Rhug Estate’s Poultry Manager, is celebrating a significant work anniversary this month having worked on the farm for 40 years. To commemorate the occasion Gareth has been awarded a Long Service Medal at the Royal Welsh Show. [aoa id=”1″] Gareth, who is from Llangollen, started in 1979, aged 17. He came to work for the former Lord Newborough, with the old shepherd, Wil Williams, for three weeks during his Easter holidays from Llysfasi College. After his three weeks were over he was offered a permanent position helping manage the farm’s 3,000 sheep. Gareth said, “I didn’t come from…